Austin News

In a recent e-Newsletter, Senator Ted Cruz reflected on the achievements of 2023 and outlined his plans for 2024. He emphasized his dedication to fighting for Texans and their families, creating new jobs, and prioritizing national security.

One of the major wins for South Texas and the entire Lone Star State was the agreement on an annual defense authorization bill, which streamlined the presidential permitting process for new and expanded bridges across the Rio Grande. Senator Cruz expressed his pride in leading this effort to alleviate border crossing bottlenecks, improve infrastructure, create thousands of jobs, and expand trade and commerce throughout the region.

Speaking about the impact of this agreement, Senator Cruz said, "This is a win for Texas farmers and ranchers. This is a win for Texas small businesses and manufacturers. This is a win for jobs. This is also a win for national security." He highlighted the importance of onshoring and nearshoring manufacturing, making the United States less dependent on China and strengthening national security.

In his role as the ranking member on the Senate Commerce Committee, Senator Cruz hosted a round table and press conference to discuss the CHIPS Act, aimed at bringing semiconductor manufacturing back to the U.S. He emphasized the vulnerability of the U.S. economy to foreign manufacturing, particularly in advanced semiconductors. Senator Cruz praised Texas for leading the way in attracting direct investments in semiconductors, creating high-paying jobs, and called for the state to be at the forefront of bringing semiconductor manufacturing back to America.

During an appearance on Fox News with Sean Hannity, Senator Cruz criticized the Biden administration for prioritizing politics over protecting Americans at the southern border. He accused them of hoping the media would ignore the ongoing catastrophe and spreading false information about Republicans' stance on border security. Senator Cruz stated, "They created this problem. Whatever the Democrats in the left wing accuse the other side of doing, it is what they're doing."

Senator Cruz also expressed his support for House Republican efforts to impeach U.S. Department of Homeland Security Director Alejandro Mayorkas for defying federal law and accelerating illegal immigration. He called for Mayorkas' impeachment, stating, "It's not that Mayorkas is bad at his job. It's that he is openly defying federal law. He is not trying to secure the border. He is instead trying to accelerate illegal immigration."

In conclusion, Senator Ted Cruz reaffirmed his commitment to securing the southern border and fighting for the interests of Texans. With the wins of 2023 as a foundation, he looks forward to building on those successes in 2024.